All types of people camp. From the full-timers who enjoy a lifestyle similar to home like these HDT RVers to people who like a unique and occasional camping experience, like folks who enjoy things like the TreePod. Appealing to the high-tech crowd of camping, as well as the glamping sector, the new GeerTop SparkForce tent is sure to strike a chord.
The SparkForce is essentially a glowing tent. Only, it doesn't light up how the usual tent is retrofitted to illuminate; rather the key to its shine is the fabric of the tent. "I noticed that there was not a tent on the market which can really shine by itself. Only with some auxiliary props, such as phosphors and LED lights to imitate a glowing effect," Matt Brunson tells The Buzz. Brunson is the product designer of the SparkForce tent.
GeerTop is an international company, with warehouses throughout the world. Their vision is to create camping gear for the backpacker and people who want lightweight equipment. According to the website, they have their own factory so they are able to test out different prototypes often and make sure their product is ready for consumers. Other if their interesting products include a sleeping bag that has space for storage, a hammock with a mosquito net, and more than can be seen here. Most of their products are well-reviewed, like the 2-person 4-season backpacking tent. People have commented and reviewed on it being a budget friendly tent and easily withstands the elements during winter camping.
The SparkForce glowing tent is modeled here, and was inspired at a light show.
SparkForce is the newest in their product line.
"The idea for SparkForce occurred to me rather accidentally," Brunson explains. "I was visiting a light show and one of the scenes had lights changing colors to the rhythm of the music. I thought that it would be cool for a tent to do this."
The realization of the idea took a while. "I really like the fabric market so I went there to try to find a practical solution to a glow up tent," Brunson recalled. After visiting over 100 fabric markets, the GeerTop team found optical fiber fabric. Optical fiber is high-tech transparent fiber that is a little thicker than human hair that transmits light from one end to the other. Optical fiber fabric is just like it sounds; it has optical fiber woven into the fabric.
In the case of SparkForce, the fabric has to be extra flexible and strong to withstand outdoor conditions. Also, optical fiber has never been used on a tent before. This caused some headaches for GeerTop, however they found that putting the optical fiber cover over the tent fabric as well as better "sewing technique and skills” would make it well-integrated, Brunson explains. After finding a way to make the tent glow, they found a company that could change the lighting of the glow via remote control. Connecting the optical fiber via a USB power source (much like a cell phone charger), the remote control can vary the brightness of the light, as well change between 7 different colors.
Optical fiber is high-tech transparent fiber that is a little thicker than human hair that transmits light.
Why hasn't this been done before, you ask? Optical Fiber fabric is super expensive. It can go for about $150 per yard. A quick Amazon search shows that average waterproof tent fabric is about $10 a yard. As such, SparkForce at present is only available by custom order. “We have been getting some custom orders, including one that wants 500 different customizations to one SparkForce tent!” says Brunson.
In terms of marketing, GeerTop is still learning who the tent’s ideal customers are. “We think it is suitable for campsites, parties, festival camping and more,” Brunson says, “And of course anyone who likes new things and trying out high-tech stuff in camping.” The campaign on their website points to the more romantic side of camping, with the lights adding a fun, almost glamping-like atmosphere, to the traditional camping experience. It is still an easy set-up tent and lightweight, as with all their tents, and is on its way to appeal to the growing number of outdoor enthusiasts throughout the world.